Travelling with toddlers can be challenging, but it can also be extremely rewarding. You get to see a place through their eyes, finding excitement and joy in the smallest details. But little kids are busy, and they like to be on the go all the time, so it’s essential that you visit places that can keep them entertained.
While the forests and beaches of Knysna will keep you and your kids entertained outdoors, here are some of our other favourite spots to visit in Knysna and its surrounds if you’re travelling with little kids:
Shabby Fufu Lifestyle Farm
The Shabby Fufu Lifestyle Farm is located on the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Here you will find an extensive kiddie’s play area with slides, jungle gyms, sand pits, and even jumping castles. There are donkeys to feed and a large toy and antique shop to browse, making this a place to while away the hours as a family. There is also a restaurant on site overlooking a dam where you can enjoy pizzas, steak, or even their popular Sunday lunch.
Knysna Featherbed Co
Introduce your little one to boating for the first time with the Knysna Featherbed Co. There are various cruises to choose from depending on the age of your children and your budget. You can choose to do a short transfer hop across to the heads, where you can spend the day relaxing at the restaurants under the Milkwoods and playing on the private tidal beach, or book a 75-minute Three Legs Ferry Cruise visiting the heads, or consider an early dinner onboard the paddle cruiser.
The Featherbed Co is just one of the operators on the waters of Knysna and there are other options from The Pirate Boat to luxury yachts and speedboats for exploring the ocean beyond the calm lagoon waters.
Friday Night Market at Montessori
The Friday Night Market at Knysna’s local Montessori school is one of the area’s longest-running markets and a family favourite. The Market is the school’s primary fundraising drive, and is the perfect place to spend an evening enjoying fresh, delicious cuisine and live music while the kids run free around the lawns or playing on the jungle gyms. Catering to families, the market starts at 4 pm and runs until 8 pm, so be sure to arrive early to get a table (or bring your own picnic blanket and chairs) and take advantage of a great evening out.
The Farm
The Farm on Simola Hill is a wonderful place for kids to play. Here you will find a great playground as well as a cycle area that is set up for littlies. There is a mini bike track with balance bikes tol cultivate future riders while time trails are held on a single track running through the ravine at the back of the property for more serious cyclists. The kid’s area is well situated in relation to the rustic restaurant such that you can relax with a coffee and a delicious bite while watching your children have fun. A small market is also held at The Farm some Sundays.
Tapas & Oysters
Tapas & Oysters on Thesen Island is an easy restaurant choice for families with little ones. For parents, the restaurant has a good selection of cocktails, sushi, pizzas, and fresh oysters while also enjoying an enviable position right on the water. Alongside the restaurant the kid’s playground has numerous safari-themed ride along animals and a jungle gym on astroturf as well as a small pushbike cyle track.
Pili Pili Beach Restaurant
The Pili Pili Beach Restaurant in Sedgefield is another fabulous spot for families. Here you can dine with your toes in the sand while your little ones dig and build. Just outside the dining area is a swing set and slides to keep kids busy. If you really want to tire the family out head over the dunes in front of the restaurant to Myoli Beach, and enjoy a walk or a play at the waters edge..
Adventure Land
Centrally located off the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg, Adventure Land, is a waterpark for kids of all ages. Supertubes and slides for adrenaline junkies, and pools with a mini-supertube and kiddie’s slides for the little ones. There are also extensive lawns and trees under which you can enjoy a picnic or have a braai if you can get the kids out of the water playground. There is a kiosk for light snacks if you did not get around to packing lunch, but do remember to pack the sun lotion and a hat.